Scottish Rugby appoints Essentially Group

Scottish Rugby (SRU) is delighted to appoint Essentially Group, a division of CSM Sport & Entertainment (CSM), as its sole and exclusive global commercial agency; tasked with sourcing and negotiating key partnerships, including principle partner to the Scotland national team; and title sponsorship for Scotland’s autumn tests from next season (2013/2014) onwards.The appointment comes at an exciting time for Scottish Rugby after an improved performance by the national team, also matched at Scotland A and under-20 level and with Glasgow Warriors currently leading the Rabo Direct PRO12.  Commercially Scottish Rugby has continued to grow from strength to strength, recently announcing a new kit manufacturing deal with Macron; the biggest sponsorship in its history and also welcoming on board renowned Scottish brands such as The Famous Grouse and Tennent Caledonian Brewers plus global brand Unilever with its Dove Men + Care range. Dominic McKay, Scottish Rugby’s Director of Commercial Operations, Communications and Public Affairs, is determined to enhance the global family of partners.He said: “We are beginning to make progress in terms of our on-field displays; and though we are still building, we certainly feel that we are headed in the right direction at the moment after our RBS 6 Nations Championship, which included victories over Italy and Ireland.”A big part of us achieving our goals revolved around identifying a global agency with the reputation and drive to succeed and we believe that in Essentially we have found the best in the market.”Mike Vandrau, Head of Sales of Essentially, said: “Scottish Rugby is in a really exciting place at the moment and it  enjoys a huge global fan base that truly identifies with the shirt and the players.  This is a great opportunity for brands to come on board, with a team that is fully focussed on achieving its goals; and in doing so access major broadcast and press coverage in both the UK and international marketplace, in the build-up to the 2015 Rugby World Cup.” “We are delighted to be appointed as the exclusive agency to Scottish Rugby and look forward to working with the team at Murrayfield to deliver what is a fantastic opportunity.”